The estimation of neuronal population density by a robust distance method

A new ‘nearest‐neighbour’ or ‘distance’ method of estimating neurone population density is introduced. The method was originally developed for ecological studies but can be imported into histology without significant modification; changes in population density can be estimated by inverting the measure of area per unit cell (the so‐called mean area). Its advantages include tests of randomness for the spatial distribution of the cells at issue and a robustness which can tolerate some departure from a random distribution pattern. To illustrate how the method is applied estimates of neurone density, in terms of ‘mean area’ per cell‐point, are made on a montage tracing of the human cerebellar dentate nucleus. 1978 Blackwell Science Ltd